One thing I’ve learned from my baby-steps study of permaculture concepts is the idea of planting “guilds.” That is, grouping plants that benefit each other by being in proximity. A classic example seems to be grouping a tree with smaller plants such as nutrient accumulators/mulch producers like comfrey, then some plants that attract beneficial insects etc. So last year I planted this comfrey at the base of the Prarie Fire Crabapple, a tree I treasure for the spring blooms, but mostly for it’s bird-food value. (Permaculture is much more oriented toward people-feeding trees, but I’m getting to those this year…) It also has some Sedum (attracts beneficials) at its base.

And by golly, both the tree and the comfrey look remarkably happy! Comfrey is one of those great multi-functional plants that accumulates nutrients from deep in the soil, is self-mulching and weed suppressing and pollinators LOVE it. (And of course it’s medicinal.) Just don’t let comfrey loose in rich garden soil, or you’ll soon have a comfrey farm…

The bumble bees are busy adoring every pink bloom on the comfrey. There are loads of bees this spring (bumblebees — but I’m seeing very very few wild honeybees) and they are loving the comfrey!

Bees are hard to photograph. They are, after all, very busy.

And very beautiful in their yellow and black velvet coats.

And he’s off to another flower!

So, after this experience, I’m putting a start of comfrey at the base of every new tree I plant. (Don’t worry, not even comfrey can become invasive in our natural clay/gravel…) I’ll let you know how it goes.

For the three Springtimes we’ve spent at Larrapin, the hummers have arrived promptly on tax day, April 15th. This year was no different and as usual we were scrambling to get the feeders up as he was zooming around the spot where it usually hangs… It took me a while longer though, to get a proper welcome-back photo.

These two lovelies are like flying jewels. They are fans of themutton suet we’ve located at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. It’sincredible and the birds LOVE it even birds that aren’t usually found on suet feeders.

(And it’s nice that it’s a sustainable local product.)

This cute redhead is a big fan.

And this red-all-over lovely (summer tanager?) is also a fan. Ididn’t know they would go for suet but *everybody* loves this suet.This photo is foggy because of the extreme zoom. He was sitting out inthe golden locust and made quite a colorful sight.

Here he is, smaller, but better focus.

And here, gobbling mutton suet…

Here is the tanager’s lovely wife, who also has a taste for this amazing suet!Welcome to the new summer visitors!

I mentioned that we’ve had lots more birds this year since we’ve put “backyard habitat” practices into place. This is a new visitor. Look at that cheeky posture and the rakish red scarf! Welcome to Larrapin Garden friend!

“Larrapin” is an old hill-country word once used to mean delicious, yummy, really good.

My idea of larrapin is a landscape created to be delicious & useful to many: the gardeners, birds, wildlife, barnyard, bees and pollinators. Five Apple Farm is my canvas.

We are back home for good in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina after several sweet years in the Ozarks. You'll find posts from both places.

Welcome and Enjoy!

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